Tractor



5 Sheets-Sheet 2 -kza Nov. 3u'f 1931.. c. oPoLo 1,829,808

TRACTOR Filed March 20, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 roamed Nov. 3, 1931 CHARLES OPOIAO, GF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA TRACTOR Application led March 20, 1929: Serial No. 348,481.

This invention relates to tractors.

An object of the invention is the lprovision of a tractor having four or more tractionwheels driven from a common prime mover.

Another object of the invention is the proi vision of a tractor, the number of tractlonwheels of which may be altered, the purpose being to permit increasing the number of traction-wheels if the tractor is to be used l" upon sandy or muddy ground, or if the draw bar load is to be increased.

A more detailed object is the provision of a tractor comprising a main power unit mounted upon suitable driving, or traction- 5 Wheels. und to which one or more auxiliary units may be added, each of these units also being .supported upon traction-wheels and having means for coupling its wheels to the cngrine of the main power unit, with the result 3i that all of the wheels are driven by a single primemover common to all. 'L

A further object is the provision of a tractor composed of a plurality of removable units as described, and which is provided '-7' with means for steering the assembled tractor. so as to cause it to follow the desired course.

Another object is the provision ot a tractor havingy two or more driving axles, each hav 3f ingr suitable traction-wheels associated therewith, and connected to a common prime mover, and each axle being mounted in a housing so connected to thehousings of the other axles, that torsional movement of each ii" housinv in respect to the others, is permitted, with the result that all the driving wheels will remain in engagement with the surface over which the tractor is moving. regardless of hou' uneven that surface may be.

'W A still. further object is the provision of a tractor composed of a main power unit. and one ot the main auxiliary traction units removably attachable thereto. the coupling means being of such a nature that each unit V is held against longitudinal displacement from the remainder of the tractor, but is permitted umversal movement in respect rthereto,eso that it may swing vertically in respect to the remainder of the tractor, as in over a hummock, or may Swing later- 50 ally-as in altering the line of movement ofthe tractor, or may twist as in movin onto a surface ata rlifierent lateral inclination from that upon which the remainder of the tractor is supported.

It is a still further object of my invention, to improve upon the tractors heretofore fimployed for developing relatively high drawbar horse vp'tniverfin pulling l'oads over uneven agdne-latively soft surfaces, and to do so in spch a way as to produce a tractor which is simple and rugged in structure, is inexpensive 1n manufacture, and which -is .positive and relatively speedy in operation.

The invention possesses other objects and 65 advantageous features, some ofv which, with those enumerated, will be set forth in the following description of the inventions particular embodiment which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a 70 part of the specification.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a vertical, medial sectional view of a tractor embodying the principles of my invention, with portions thereof being shown a 1n side elevation. AThe plane of section may he considered as having been taken upon the line 1-1 of Fig. 2, with the direction of view as indicated. 80

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken upon the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, with the direction of view as indicated, and with portions shown in top plan view.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the running 85 gear. the motor and associated parts having' been removed to better disclose the nature of the invention. A

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal, vertical -sectional View taken substantially upon the line 4 4 90 of Fig. 3, with the direction of view as indicated, and

Fig. 5 is a vertical, transverse sectional.

- thefmost practical form thereof, of which I am at present aware.

Main power um't The main power unit indicated in` its entirety at 6, comprises a frame 7. This frame is made up of front and. rear sections 8 and 9 respectively. each of which is tubular, with the after section 9 rotatably disposed upon the forward section 8. A terminal flange 11 on the after-section 9 is movabl-y retained hetween the after side of a gear housng 12, and a preferably split annular (lange. 13 rev'movably attachable tothe gear housing 12 by boltsy 14' or their equivalent.. so as to hold the after' section 9 of the frame 7,against longitudinal displacement from the forward section 8, but permit relative torsional or twisting movement of either in respect to the other. i l p A Afman drive shaft' 16 is disposedl coaxially within the frame 7. being revolubly mounted within journals 17 and 18, held rigid with the forward frame section 8, by brackets 19 and 21 respectively.

Each of the frame sections 8 and 9, has an axle housing 26 and 27 respectively, rigidly rattached thereto'` these axle housings eX- tendi'ng transversely in respect to the frame 7 A 'Driving axles28 and 29 are journalled within the housings 26 and 27 respectively, each of which isenlar'ged substantially midway be-4 tween'its ends,.for the accommodation of a suitable differential 31. Eachrdifferential comprises a differential housing carryin a ring gear 33 vand a pluralit;7 of di lferentia pinions 34. journalled therein.r the. axes o f these differential pinions 34, extendingradlally outwards fromthe axis of the associated axle '28 or 29.. All of the pinions 34 of each differential, are enmeshed with two opposed axle drive gears 36 and 37, it beingunderstood that each axle is composed of two axially aligned'sections, each of which has one.

of the axle drive gears 36 or 37 rigid therewith. However, inasmuch as the particular mediate bearing upon the present invention,

f I wish it to be understood that l do not wish Ace to be limited to the precise form of differential described, but that any suitable type of such mechanism may b'e employed.

' A wheel 41 is ri gidlv attached to each section of each axle adjacent the outer end thereof. Vhile anv suitable type of traction-` wheel may be eu'ipl }.fed.. each of those herein shown and described. is composed of ajplurality of spokes 42 radiating from a hub structure 43 to which the associated axle section is keyed.' Each wheel 11 includes an inner and outer series of spokes 42, eaclrserles supporting an annular angle iron 4-1.k 'l`raction means preferably in the form of a plurality of short angle irons 46 are made fast between the two annular angle irons 4 4. with the result that each wheel develops a relatively high tractive force when supported upon a relatively soft surface such as .sand or mud, and still will not damage a macadamized road. because of the relatively smooth surfaces of the annular angle irons 44 which contact that relatively hard surface when the tractor is supported thereupon.

.Each of the ring gears 33 is enmeshcd with a pinion gear 51. The pinion gears 5l are rigid with the. main drive shaft 16 adjacent each end thereof, and are enmeshed with their respective ring gears 33 from opposite sides, as clearly shown upon Fig. 'In other words` the ring gear 33 associated with thc forward axle Q8, is disposed upon the right hand side of the main drive shaft 16,v whereas the ring gear 33 of the after axle 29, is disposed upon the left hand side of the drive shaft 16, the purpose being to effect rotation of both axles in the same direction by applying rotational movement to the main drive shaft 16. For this purpose the shaft 16 is connected by a train of gearing-indicated in its entirety at 52, to any suitable type of prime mover such as an internal combustion motorl 53f`tbeing understood that any suitable type of changespeed transmission 54 may be interposed anywhere between the motor 53 and drive shaft 16, if desired. The motor, 53 and associated parts such as the fuel supply tank 56, may be conveniently lsupported upon the forward axle housing 26, whereas the drivers seat 57 may be supported upon theafter axle housing 27 Furthermore, any suitable type of drawbar 58 may be rigid with the after axle housngd, to permit coupling the tractor to its Steering mechanism A steering-post 61 is mounted upon the after frame section 9, to position a steeringwheel 62 carried thereby, so as to be accessible fromV the drivers seat 57. A yoke 63 adjacent the lower end of the steering-post 61, is so associated therewitl tht 't be t form of the differential employed.` has no im- 1 1 may med about the axis of the steering-post by turning made fast adjacent the inner end of each of the kshafts 66, and extends upwards therefrom to such positionthat it is engaged by the associated end of the yoke 63 when that end is the steering-wheel 62. The after.- axle lions-'i7 asf moved aft. Each shaft 66 carries another' lever 68, the shaft 66 being connected to this levelI 68, Amidway between the ends thereof. Links 69 and T1 are pivoted to the lower and upper ends respectively, of the lever 68, the

upper link 71 having a tension spring 72' with, to the outer end of which the associated link 69 is pivoted; whereas each of the stub shafts 76 associated with the forward wheels 41, has a lever 78 rigid therewith, pivoted to the link 71. As a result, when rotary movement is imparted to the shaft66. both stub shafts 76 upon the'same side ofhthe tractor, will also be rotated in the same li1'ectio1`1, to effect setting or releasing the brakes of the wheels 41 upon that side of the tractor, depending upon the direction of rotary movement of the shaft 66. However, because of the imposition of the spring 72 within the lilik 71, the brake associated with the after wheel 41, may be locked; while the brake associated with the forward wheel 41 on thesaine side, may be set less tightly.

It may thus be readily understoody that when it is desired to turn the tractor, say to the leftas viewed upon Fig. 3,'- the steering- -wheel 62 should be turned vso as to turn the yoke 63 in a counter-,clockwise direction as viewed upon that figure. This will cause the yoke 63 to engage the lever 67 associated with the wheels 41 upon the lleft hand side of the wheels 41 on the right side of the tractor, bei' cause of the action of the differentials 31. This vwill cause the right hand wheels to move ahead, pivoting the tractor around the rear left hand wheel." This will necessitate acertain degree of lateral sliding of the `forward left hand Wheelg-which is facilitated by the 'slight rotation of that Wheel, permitted because its" brake-is not locked. When the y tractor has been headed in the desired course,

the bra-kes ofthe left hand wheel should be released by returning the steering-wheel 62 to normal position, whereupon the tractor will proceed as directed. If it be desired to turn the tractor in the opposite direction, it is apparent that the steering-wheel 62 should be turned to the right, setting the brakes of the right hand wheels, and permitting the left hand wheels to rotate pivoting the tractor about the right rear Wheel.

Auxiliary tract/0n um'ts When the, conditions under which the citractor is to be employed, are such that it is desired to have an increased number of traction-wheels, one or more auxiliary units 86 may be easily added thereto. 'Each of these units comprises an axle housing 87 Within which an axle 88 is journalled, this axle 88 also having a differential 89, and being composed of two sections, to each of which a traction-wheel 91 is keyed.

A shaft housing 92 extends aft of the axle housing 87, and has journalled therein, a drive shaft 93, bearings 94 and 96 being supported within the housing 92 by suitable brackets A pinion gear 98 rigid with the forward end of the shaft 93, enmeshes the ring gear 99 of the differential 89.

The after end of the shafthousing 92, terminates in a hollow spherical shell 101 which 106 carries a pinion gear 107; and a iangek 108 on the shaft housing extension 103, permits rigidly securing the extension 103 to the forward vside of the front axle housing 26 of the main power unit 6, cap screws 109 or their equivalent, being employed for this purpose. The parts are so proportioned and arranged that when the shaft housing extension 103 is attached to the axle housing 26, the pinion 107 willr be enmeshed with the ringgear 33 of the forward axle 29, as clearly shown upon Figs. l and 2.

The larger spherical shell 102 is composed of two sections 111 and 112, the section 111 which is preferably integralwith the housing extension 103, having. the configuration of a hollow hemisphere; whereas the smaller section 112 has the configuration of a hollow spherical zone. vThe smaller sectiony 112 is "removably attachable to the larger section 111, by means of bolts 113 passing through flanges 114 with which each of the sections 111 and 112 are provided, itbeing understood that the section 112 is to be attached tothe section 111 after the smaller hollow spherel 101 has been seated within the larger section 111.

The stub shaft 106 is connected to the shaft. 93, by means of a universal joint 116 which is so arranged that the axes of its pins intersect at the center of both of the spherical shells 101 and 102.

From the above description. it will be understood that the auxiliary unit 86 may be vremovably attached to the main powerunit 6. in such position that power from the motor 53 will be applied to the wheels 91 of the axiiiary una s6, afs-wenst to: thwaels 419i the'main'power unit 6. `lf'urtliermore,` the connection between the auxiliary unit 86y and the main -power unit 6,.is lsuch that the "housingr26, -and brackets 119 carried by the` Y shaft housing 92 ofthe auxiliary unit 86.

auxilia'ry'unit is capable of universal movement in respect to the main power unit, because of the universal joint 116 by which the shaft 93-and stub shaft 106 are joined, and

because of the knuckle joint formed by the spherical shells 1,01'and 102. Longitudinal displacement of the auxiliary unit 86 in respect to the main power unit 6, is prevented because of thevseatingA of the smaller sphericalshell 101 within the larger shell 102; and relatively 'heavy' springs 117 are under tension between brackets 118 carried by the axle 'tween the wheel 91 uponv one side of the unit 86'and the adjacent forward wheel 41 of the main power unit 6, will occur when the traci toris being turned, I have found it convenient to employ .hydraulically operated lbrakes for the wheels 91 of the auxiliary units 86. .For this purpose a hydraulic cylinder 121 is carried by the axle housing 87 adjacent each end thereof, this cylinder 121 being releasably connectible to a similar cylinder .122 carried by the axle housing 26, by means of a'flexible hydraulic conduit 123. The. plunger 124 of the cylinder 122, is

ivotedto an extension 126 of the associated ever 78, so lthat when the associated brakes yare applied, the' plunger 1,24 will -be thrust inwards of the cylinder 122, forcing hydrau- I' lic Huid from that cylinder through the conduit `123, into the cylinder 121. This will force the plunger 126 of theassociated cylin- 'der 121, outwards, moving a lever 127 which is pivoted thereto, so as to apply the brake of the associated wheel 91. The front side'of the axle housing 87, is provided with a removable cover plate 136 means of a plurality of cap screws 137 or their equivalent. By removing this cover y plate 136, it is made possible to attach ano other auxiliary unit 186 to the front of the housing 87.; land inasmuch as the units 86 are preferably of identical constructiom'as many of these auxiliary units 86 may be employed as may be desired, depending upon the o5 lcondition of the surface over which the traclwhich is removably attachable thereto byr aseasos -tor is to be run, and .upon the magnitude of' the drawbar pull it is desired to develop.

Operation As will be understood from the above description, power from the engine 53,'is applied equally to the axles 29 of the main power unit 6, and also to the axles 88 of as many auxiliary units as are coupled thereto. Each of the axle housings 87, 26, and 27, is capable of twisting, or torsional movement in respect to the others, so that as the tractor proceeds over uneven ground, all of the wheels 91 and 44 will remain in contact with thesurface of the ground, with the result that such an uneven surface will have no eii'ect upon the tractive eflicieney of the device. `This twisting ofthe axle housing 87 of the auxiliary unit-86 in respect to the remainder of the tractor, is made possible through the journalling 'of the smaller spherical shell 101 wi'l hin vthe larger shell 102; and the twistingr of either of the auxiliary housing 26,`or 27, of the main power unit 6, is made-possible by means of the seating of the flange 11 between the gear housing 12 and flange 13l Steering of the tractor when one or more of the auxiliary units 86 are connected thereto, is effected in the manner previously described, it-being yunderstood that when the brakes upon either side of the main power unit, are applied, the brakes of all of the connected auxiliary units on that same side of the tractor, will also be applied. Preferably the parts are so arranged that the brakes of the auxiliary unitl 86, will be applied slightly before they are applied to the main unit 6, causing the unit to start to swing slightly before the remainder of the tractor alters its course. This will tend to bring the auxiliary units 86, and main -power unit 6, into alignment as the new course is approached. However, if this alignment is not accurately attained, the springs 117 may be relied upon to again swing the unit 86 to which they are connected, into proper alignment, so that the tractor may proceed in the selected course.

It is to be understood that the details of the invention as herein disclosed, are subject to alteration within the spirit or scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In `a tractor, a` frame, an auxiliary frame removably securable thereto, means permitting -universal movement of said frames in respect to each other when secured together, means holdingsaid frames against longitudinal displacement, and spring means urging said frames into alignment with each other.

i 2. A tractor comprising a plurality ot units, means for removably securing said units together for universal movement. each of said units comprising driving wheels and an axle, resilient means urging said units into alignment, and disengageable means for coupling said axles to a common prime mover.

3. A tractor 'comprisingaplurality 0f units, means for removably securing said units together for universal movement, each of said units comprising driving wheels and Y. 'an axle, resilient means urging said units into alignment, disengageable means for coupling said axles to a common prime mover, and means for steering said tractor.

4. A tractor comprisingk a plurality of units, means for removably securing said units together for universal movement, each unit comprising driving wheels, an axle, and a' diferential, yresilient means urging said unitsinto alinmenadisengageable means for coupling sai journalled in said shaft housing, a

' gear on said shaft operatively engage with axles to a common prime mover a braking device associated with each o said wheels, and meins operable to appl the brakes optionally upon either side' o the tractor.

5. A tractor comprising a plurality of units, means for removably securing said units together for universal movement, each unitcomprising driving wheels, an axle, and a differential, resilient means urging said i p units into alignment, disengageable means foncoupling said 'axles toa common prime mover, vabvraki'ng deviceassociated with each said d-iierential, a universal ]oint carried by said drive shaft with the laxes of the dierential pinions intersectin at the center of lsaid spherical shell, a sha `housin extension,

l coupling means at the outer en ofsaid extension, a hollow spherical shell at the inner end of said extension, one of said spherical shells embracing the other for universal movement, astub shaft journalled in said extension and connected to said universal joint, a brake associated with each of said wheels, and independentlylo erable means associated with each of said rakes for optionally developing resistance to turningv of either of said wheels.

In testimony lwhereof I have signed my name to this specification.

CHARLES OPoLo. 

